Why did 3D Printing buildings never became big?

Question

I have been thinking about this recently as prices of houses just keep inflating up and being so hard to purchase for an average family.Why didn't 3D Printing buildings became big? It seems like a perfect tech to help us build faster and more consistent.Clear the ground. Get the 3D printer out there. And then boom 48 hours later you have a building.Or printing the bricks like Lego so you can just collect them together.What is it I am missing here?

tlb · Accepted Answer

The cost of the structure of a modern wood house is a tiny fraction of the overall cost. Most of the construction cost is in the wiring, plumbing, bathroom & kitchen fixtures, windows, flooring, etc. 3D printing doesn't help with any of that. In fact, wiring and plumbing is harder than in a wood-framed building, where you can drill holes in a few seconds.Also, aesthetic zoning rules are super-conservative. You can't build an unusual looking house in most cities.

kypro · Answer

> Or printing the bricks like Lego so you can just collect them together.
Are construction bricks not already essentially 3d printed? They're 3d objects produced on mass to aid in affordable and standardised construction.
We've been "3d printing" stuff for years just with different methods like injection molding. The 3d printing your referring to in contrast is generally more expensive per unit and the only real advantage of it is its flexibility which is why it's used often in prototyping, but wouldn't be of much use in the mass producing of affordable homes (or anything for that matter).

fallat · Answer

Because I think pouring concrete and putting up steel beams is faster and more stable

perilunar · Answer

The price of houses may be rising, but in most cities the main cost is the cost of the land, not the house.

rolph · Answer

there a slew of name brand polystyrene foam formboards that remain in place for R value and moisture barrier.it seems to be the current method and needs no new equipment.